Western Canada’s provinces and territories have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which aims to unlock Canada’s potential as a global leader in critical minerals by leveraging regional strengths and aligning infrastructure investments.
“Western Canada is rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earths, which are crucial for clean energy, advanced technology and defence applications,” said Jagrup Brar, B.C. Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “There’s a generational opportunity beneath our feet. Together, we can advance a robust critical mineral value chain in Western and Northern Canada that accesses new export markets, increases trade opportunities, creates jobs and brings in investment across the region.”
Brar joined other western and northern Canadian ministers responsible for critical minerals at a first-ever in-person summit meeting in Vancouver. The summit included presentations and a roundtable discussion, featuring industry, investment and Indigenous leaders. The sessions closed with the ministers signing an agreement to collaborate on a unified critical mineral strategy.
MOU to jointly advance a Western Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy
The MOU, signed Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, establishes a framework for co-operation toward a Western Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to:
- promote Western Canada as a global hub for critical minerals innovation and sustainable development;
- prioritize regional critical mineral hubs; and
- identify the infrastructure planning and investment needed to maximize mineral extraction, processing and export capacity.
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